Kindness and Gratitude

I have seen this video on my friend's FB wall. It is a Thai short film but the story is clear to all who would view it regardless of the language. The story is all about kindness and benevolence and how people respond to it in gratitude. This is a must see movie. Thanks for the post...

Post by Trinikid.

My Birthday 2014

It's amazing to see a special birthday greeting on the Google search engine. I really don't know how they do it but it makes Google users like me feel special even if I have turned 43 years old today. 

Getting old is of course inevitable and inescapable but it should add another year of triumph over life's tests and trials. It might not be something to look forward to in terms of grey hair but it is part of life's journey that we all need to enjoy.

Emmanuel Kelly's Amazing Mom!

While I am perusing a friend’s Facebook account, I have come across this video post, which says, “Very inspiring person... please hold your tears”. Apparently, my FB friend has liked it from the Amazing Videos FB Fan Page. I have felt a little curious so I have clicked on the video link.

I can't upload here the video from Amazing Videos, I just embedded the same video from YouTube

It is an episode from The X-Factor TV program, which features “Emmanuel Kelly”, a 17-year-old young man from Australia but is originally from Iraq, who dreams to become a professional singer despite a congenital physical deformity. His left arm and leg have not developed normally and he could not walk straight. His brother has almost a similar condition.

One of the judges has asked about his age. He said he is not sure because when his mother has taken him from an orphanage in Iraq, he does not have any birth certificate or passport. He must have been born in the middle of a war zone. His story has moved the judges and people watching. He has sung, “Imagine” by John Lennon. He has sung it really well moving the crowd and has cheered for him.

His bravery is indeed, amazing. He is not afraid to face the world in spite of how he looks compared to the other good-looking contestants. He knows what he wants and he has the boldness to pursue it. He is truly admirable.

However, if there is someone I must commend more, it his MOTHER, Mrs Kelly. I have missed his mother’s name but just the same, as Emmanuel has said, “My hero is my mother”... Normally, people would want beautiful children so they would most likely choose beautiful kids but this woman, has chosen two helpless, abandoned and deformed kids to become her children. She has raised them as normal children and have grown up full of love and acceptance. Now, they have learned to accept themselves and have gained full courage to face the world because they have a family who has given them the assurance that they are normal and loveable individuals.

To me, that is the most amazing thing.

Linked-In Celebrates 200M Members

Linked-In is celebrating an astounding achievement of reaching 200 million members world-wide. I have have received an email from Linked-In that I am among the first 500,000 members in the Philippines.

Perhaps, I don't need to explain what Linked-In is to netizens or to those who immerse themselves deeply into the blogosphere but still, for those who are not so involved with social media or those who are in Facebook alone, Linked-In is another social media site where users can connect with colleagues, friends and people who share the same interests. 

It is a good site for professionals or people who are looking for business opportunities and for those who would like to offer services. It is essential too even for those who would just like to connect with old and new friends alike.

I must admit I have not been very active in Linked-In because I have no professional career to boast about but I am happy to connect with friends through Linked-In. It has been a wonderful experience.

Pacquiao’s Defeat

Pacquiao’s Defeat

Image Credit:

http://tvwinx.com/

 

I was not able to watch the fight live yesterday. We were in church and we attended an important church activity. We got home at around two-thirty in the afternoon; just in time for the delayed telecast. It was already on the explosive third round when Marquez scored the first knock down of the match.

At that time, a friend already text-ed me that Pacquiao lost by knock out in the sixth round. I was a bit shocked and was still expecting that I misunderstood the message. So I went on to see the succeeding rounds.

I felt Pacquiao was in control of the match. He was at his usual agility, speed and strength. When he scored a knock out in the fifth round and almost pulverized Marquez with one-two combinations, which left the Mexican fighter bleeding on his face, I thought I just misunderstood the text message I received earlier.

Finally, in the sixth round, I felt Pacquiao was smoking hot. I thought I saw Marquez’ mouth piece even sliding out. Toward the final seconds, I was convinced Manny was winning the fight big time. Suddenly, I saw him fall face down almost lifeless. I was stunned! It was dreadful! Manny was hit by a lucky punch! It was unbelievable!

I do not mean to offend Marquez and his followers. I say it is a lucky punch because I feel that it has come just by accident. I do not mean to undermine Marquez’ skill and the effort he has put into his training. I also believe he deserves the victory this time.

Obviously, Manny became too reckless in this fight. Perhaps over confidence got the better of him. If there will be a next fight between the two gallant fighters, Manny should keep this lesson in mind.

New Blogging Promotion Tools

I think so many things have happened in the blogosphere since I have been thrown into a compulsory blogging vacation. It’s only now that I have learned that Entrecard has closed shop. I used to be an Entrecard user although I have not been very diligent in doing the clicks. Even so, I can say that the Entrecard widget has helped promote my blog in the worldwide web. Best regards to the developers.

I must admit that I miss Adgitize. It has offered the perfect blogging tool for bloggers both for professional and amateur. In fact, my blog posting have started to decline since Adgitize has ceased operation. Where else can a blogger earn points by just posting an article and then convert those points into dollars?

With Adgitize and Entrecard gone, I need new blogging promotion tools, which I can use to promote my blogs. Of course, Google Adwords is still a perfect choice but I don’t have much to spend. Besides, I do not run a business blog.

The only free ad service I know is Ads by Project Wonderful although I have not actually maximized my ad campaigns there. Perhaps, having a little more diligence in exploring more possibilities and making those possibilities work positively would make a big difference.

Motherboard Again!

Perhaps you have noticed that it’s been quite a while since the last time I have posted an entry here on my blog and to all my blogs for that matter. Well, my computer has bagged down once again due to motherboard failure. It’s less than a year since the last time it has happened.

Thank God the warranty still good ‘cause I don’t have that much to spare. Incidentally, I am also rushing a script for our church play when it breaks down the last time. I am happy that I’m able to borrow a laptop from a neighbor so I could finish the script in time for the rehearsals.

ASRock N68C-S UCC

Actually, I know I have completed the script even before my system shut down and I even have sent a copy to our stage play director but for unknown reasons, it seems that I have not saved it properly. I have lost two pages toward the ending. I’ve had to finish the script from a borrowed laptop to complete the story.

Anyways, the important work has been done successfully. Although, I think I really need to upgrade my PC to the latest model. I'm still on a single core but hopefully, I can get a 6-Core board. I just don't know when.

Google Remembers Amelia Earhart

Earhart Google Doodle

I got a little intrigued by Google Doodle today. It is an old plane with a woman at the side and it says that it is the birthday of Amelia Earhart.

Who is Amelia Earhart anyway?

Amelia Earhart is the first woman aviator who has flown across the Atlantic Ocean. She has received the Distinguished Flying Cross for this achievement. She has gained celebrity status after this and has become a famous endorser as the “Queen of the Air”. Several promotional products have appeared carrying the Earhart name. She has become a best selling author as well.

Amelia Earhart c/o Wikipedia

However, on July 2, 1937, Earhart along with her flight companion Fred Noonan has disappeared somewhere in Central Pacific Ocean. They have been attempting to fly across the globe.

Their disappearance had been a celebrated mystery up to this date. Perhaps, an unquenchable curiosity over what actually transpired especially to a celebrity such as Earhart. Many theories and speculations have risen after her disappearance. Stories like those that she has been spying against the Japanese and that her plane has crashed somewhere in Saipan and Japanese soldiers have executed them after captivity; that she has survived the crash and has assumed a new identity afterwards but none have had shown clear evidence about Earhart’s fatal crash and disappearance.

Bonfadini Image of Snow Frost Transforming the Arctic Circle into a Bizarre World

Nature has a way of creating bizarre occurrences. It seems like nature’s way of painting the earth’s surface. Like this one in the Arctic Circle, perhaps a snowstorm has buried the entire topography under thick ice. The surrounding trees that the snow has covered have appeared like bizarre images of creatures and smoke.

Photographer Niccolo Bonfadini has captured those amazing images of nature. They might look gothic and eerie, but unusually natural. Thanks to Mr. Bonfadini for making the images available to all who wish to see them.

In what appears to be the set of a science fiction movie, photographer Niccolo Bonfadini has captured ghostly images of trees buried under a foot of snow in the Arctic Circle. Snow and frost become so thick the entire landscape is transformed into an otherworldly planet. (c/o Yahoo! News)

To see more of the Bonfadini images of the Arctic Circle, you may follow the link below:

http://news.yahoo.com/photos/arctic-circle-transformed-into-ghostly-world-slideshow/arctic-trees-photo-1343068100.html

Japanese Kung Fu Bear

As I was browsing You Tube searches about the Russian White Claw Kung Fu Bear, I stumbled upon an item about a Kung Fu Bear in Japan. It seemed that this video came first even before the Russian White Claw Bear got into the news.

I observed the video if it is authentic. It seemed unedited and nothing showed any trace of any video manipulation. I think it is a real footage of the actions of a black bear doing a Kung Fu like exhibition with a stick.

The Russian White Claw Kung Fu bear is not the only bear in the world that can do tricks with sticks all right.

Russian White Claw Kung Fu Bear

I know I am supposed to write about people and events in this blog. However, allow me to deviate from the usual topics to an amazing feat of a white claw bear in a zoo in Russia.

I have learned about the white claw bear displaying kung fu like stunts from a local newscast last night. It is quite reminiscent of the animated film Kung Fu Panda, which have entertained young and old people alike. Nobody has trained the bear to do such tricks but perhaps as some have commented, the bear must have been feeling bored and lonely that is why it has turned to playing with sticks. 

Animals can be very amazing too!

Starting the New Year Right

It has been quite a while since I have posted an article to my blogs. I apologize to those following my blogs for that. Actually, I have prepared an article to start the blogging year but for some reasons I have failed to publish it.

Perhaps I have been too busy with my scripts or maybe I have been too lazy to write. Well, I guess it happens to writers occasionally. They tire out too.

I have prepared an article about Elin Nordegren, Tiger Woods ex-wife. Her decision to demolish her mansion and build a new one on it has amazed me. It seems too capricious and a waste of fortune but it is her mansion and money anyway so she could do whatever she wants with it. It has been in the news right at the start of the new year so I have thought of writing about it to share how some people has started their new year.

Starting the New Year right is an important first step to achieve a fruitful year. Many factors can arise from the results of your first step and if you will miss it, people will get ahead of you and it would be difficult to catch up. Well, I can say that I have not started the New Year right this time but I can still catch up with the ten months remaining in 2012. I am looking forward to a more frequent posting in the next weeks.

Adgitize Is Closing!

I have been to busy the past few months because of some church activities. I have written a one-act Christmas musicale play for our church and now, I am writing another one-act musicale play for our church anniversary. It is a little time-consuming so I have had to set aside my blogging jobs for a while. That should explain why I have not updated my blogs for almost two months.

Just this morning, I have checked back my Adgitize account, I have been shocked to know that Adgitize is closing. It is quite a sad turn especially at the start of a new year. I have been waiting for the launch of Adgitize for business but things seem have not been favorable for the Adgitize company so it has to close shop. 

Maybe Ken can find a way to make a similar advertising platform for bloggers in the future. Until then, best regards to all fellow Adgitizers out there. Keep blogging!

Alexa Ranking: Demoralizing

I’m going through a period of weariness about blogging. For over two weeks now, I have not updated any of my blogs. I cannot say I have run out of things to write because I cannot possibly run out of anything to write considering I have five blogs running. Perhaps, I just lost some energy and inspiration to continue and needed some time to rest.

But one of the biggest contributor to this sort of demoralization is my Alexa Ranking. I don’t know what’s going wrong but it’s dropping too low. It used to go up steadily but when I have reached the 300,000 mark, it has stopped and have cascaded slowly and now it is at over a million again.

I don’t know if I would still like to display the Alexa widget on my blog because it does not seem to help. Anyway, I am still considering it.

A Rare Water Spout in Lake Michigan

Over Lake Michigan near Milwaukee Wisconsin, a waterspout or a huge column of water has risen from the water surface to the thick overhead cloud formation. It is not exactly a spectacular event but it is a rare weather occurrence in the area of Wisconsin, particularly in Lake Michigan. Fortunately, it has lasted for only about 46 seconds and has dissipated immediately.

Waterspouts might not be as strong compared to their land counterparts as we have seen in the movie “Twister” but they pose a great danger to sea vessels, airplanes, helicopters and even swimmers. Experts say that the wind velocity within the vortex, calculated at 62-67 miles per hour, can destroy coral reefs if it forms near the shoreline and even marine life that are close to the surface at that time.. There have been reports that water spouts can pick up marine life and throw them out into some near land area.

During the 90’s, a terrible flood has swept over Ormoc in Leyte Philppines where more than 3,000 people have perished if I remember correctly. The amount of rainfall in the area at that time has been tremendously excessive. Some residents say that possibly, a waterspout have thrown a large amount of water into their area. However, that statement is not scientifically validated.

NASA Satellite Plummets Back to Earth

In this handout from the National Aeronautics and SpaceAdministration (NASA), the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) isdeployed from the Space Shuttle Discovery in Sep. 14, 1991. Photograph by NASA via Getty Images Courtesy of Calgary Herald Website

A NASA decommissioned Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite as big as a bus and weighs around 6 tons, is plummeting back to earth and is expected to hit ground anytime now although the exact trajectory remains uncertain.

The last time I have heard of a NASA satellite falling from the sky is in 1979, when the Skylab has fallen back to earth particularly in Australia. I remember, drawing an image of the Skylab on paper. I am still eight years old that time and I have been intrigued so much by the falling satellite, which has been all over the news although I have failed to see it coming.

Experts do not expect any potential danger from the falling satellite as they say that it will disintegrate into shattered pieces as it re-enter the earth’s atmosphere. Instead of feeling anxious over it, they are even saying that this is a beautiful scene to behold because it would look like a meteor shower as it re-enters the atmosphere.

It is amazing how man can fly out into space through machines. Years ago, this could have sounded crazy. In the history of space science, such occurrences have not brought any damage to life and environment. I hope this time, when another NASA Satellite plummets back to earth, it will pose any danger to the environment.

Mayweather Vs. Ortiz Fight: Follow Up

I have heard sports analysts saying that Mayweather’s final blows against Ortiz are not illegal. They say that the referee have signaled that the fight continues so the fight at that point is live. It is not, therefore, Mayweather’s fault if Ortiz has not covered himself for the continuance of the fight.

Welterweight champion and pound for pound boxer, Congressman Manny Pacquiao sees it the same way. He says that referees always warn boxers to protect themselves at all times so he says that what Mayweather has done is not illegal as far as the rules of boxing is concerned. However, he says that given the same situation, he will NOT do the same. I cannot quote him verbatim but in essence he is saying that he believes in good sportsmanship and such act does not reflect good sportsmanship.

I guess, we can all put this controversy to rest and let the boxing fans decide whether Mayweather really deserve the belt or not.

Image courtesy of:
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-dwyre-mayweather-ortiz-20110918,0,763625.column

Mayweather and Ortiz Fight: Most Disgusting Championship Ever

I know I write about amazing people and events but I would like to make an exemption with this amazingly disgusting boxing main event in Las Vegas last September 17 (US time).

The fight has started good with Mayweather scoring good punches. I have thought that he is leading in the score cards. However, in the fateful fourth round, disaster seems have crumbled down the boxing ring.

Ortiz has found an opening in Mayweathers defense and has managed to throw a barrage of punches hitting black American real good. However, he has gotten too eager to knock out his opponent by sneaking in a head butt, which hit Mayweather on the chin.

It’s a dirty tactic. Ortiz has wasted a golden opportunity to a clean win over Mayweather. However, he has acknowledged that he has committed something wrong and has expressed an apology. He has approached Mayweather to say sorry he even kisses him but the referee has paused the fight and ruled to deduct points from Ortiz as a penalty.

They have gone back at the center of the ring and have touched gloves. Ortiz approaches Mayweather and kisses him to say sorry again but perhaps still indignant about the head butt, Mayweather has responded with a left hook and a right hook on Ortiz’ face that has brought him down on the canvass.

Video of the illegal punches

It’s disgusting! It’s a foul punch! It’s not the way of a true champion! Hitting a defenseless opponent at the break is unjustifiable. Another disgusting part is when the referee has started the “ten count” even though he has not signaled a resumption of the fight. He is not even looking at the fighters!

I think I am not the only one who disagrees with the result. Mayweather does not deserve the championship belt. It’s true, Ortiz is the first to commit a foul but it does not mean that Mayweather has a license to commit another foul in retaliation.

The way I look at the fight, Mayweather does not deserve to win. Although, I’m not saying that everyone who has witnessed the fight sees it the same way or should see it in that way. It’s just a personal opinion. It’s just way I see it. To me, it is one of the, if not the most disgusting “victory” on the ring ever.

Still, I would like to commend Ortiz. I think he is the better boxer. He has committed a mistake but he has accepted it and has apologized for it. He knows the punch is foul but he has not taken it as an excuse for losing the championship belt. He has not taken it against the referee either. He just says, “Nobody is perfect, not I and not even the referee… It just happens…” He even congratulates Mayweather and his corner. To me, he has a mark of a good athletic sportsmanship totally opposite of Mayweather, who has even berated the 80 year old sports announcer when the latter has confronted him regarding the foul punches. He’s so undeserving of the belt! The Mayweather-Ortiz bout for me is the most disgusting championship victory ever.

Image above courtesy of:
Yahoo! News Philippines

Giant Crocodile Captured Alive in Agusan

Giant Crocodile of Agusan c/o China Daily

The News headline in the local newscast earlier gives a shocking report about the capture of a giant crocodile in the town of Bunawan, province of Agusan del Sur. The giant crocodile measures 21 feet long and weighs around 600 lbs. It is the largest reptile that has been captured in the Philippines so far. There have been reports that this is not the only giant crocodile in the area.

The people who have worked together to capture this giant reptile alive are indeed amazing! Reports say that they are a group comprised of the local residents and some professional hunters. I have only seen and heard about a croc this huge in the old movie, “King Alligator”.

In a video clip below, they have tried to make the beast throw up by forcing water into its mouth but it seems like its stomach is empty. They have wanted to know what it had eaten in the past hours. They have been worried that it has preyed on a human.

Well, no matter how dangerous this living beast might be, I hope that it will be treated justly in the crocodile farm in Bunawan town where the authorities is said to take this monstrous and giant crocodile. They plan to make it an attraction to tourists.

Image Courtesy of:
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2011-09/06/content_13632097.htm

Amazing Phographer Captures Lightning Bolt Hitting Eiffel Tower

While I’m checking my Yahoo! Mail, I have come across a Yahoo News article about an award winning photograph of a lightning bolt hitting the Eiffel Tower.

It is definitely not everyday that a photographer can get a chance of capturing on his camera such a scene. I would consider a lightning strike a bizarre event of nature that is truly fascinating (of course, if it has not endangered life).

In the caption it says, “I quickly grabbed my camera and put it on a tripod by the window,” said the 31-year-old photographer who caught the moment the Eiffel Tower appeared to be struck by lightning. The photo, taken from his apartment window last year, surfaced this week and won the Office du Tourisme de Paris competition. It will be part of an upcoming show in France. (Photo: Caters News)

I have heard of professional photographers who put their lives on the line just to capture with their lens such a natural phenomenon. Many of them have been unsuccessful but through patience some have had fruitful adventures.

This is not actually the first time that a photograph of lightning bolt hitting the Eiffel Tower has been taken. One old photograph from Wikipedia also shows a fierce lighting hitting the Eiffel Tower. It is one of the earliest photograph of lightning that has happened in a city, which has happened in June 3, 1902, at 9.20 PM. In the photo caption, a certain M.G. Loppe owns the photograph. It is unclear to me if he is actually the photographer.

It looks like the Eiffel Tower is an easy target. I’ll remember to stay away from the Eiffel Tower if there is a thunderstorm in Paris.